What is Network54 ?

Many viewers come to the Minor Hockey Blog looking for Network54 Hockey posts.  The Minor Hockey Blog is simply a website using blog format which touches on issues in Minor Hockey such as player movement.  It also identifies Hockey Classes, Hockey Camps and Hockey Products.  I hope that this is helpful to you.

The Minor Hockey Blog is not in any way affiliated with Network54.  Network54 is a social networking website which contains forums created for different topics by various owners.  Sports is just one section within Network54, and within the Hockey Category there are many different forums and threads.  Users may post anonymously, as they can here, and there are rules in place to prevent children and people from being named, but things can get out of control and inappropriate.

Link to Hockey: http://www.network54.com/Browse/Sports/Hockey
Female Hockey: http://www.network54.com/Forum/752492
Minor Hockey 2002 and Under: http://www.network54.com/Forum/672275/
(It's discouraging how much negativity can be posted regarding kids under 12)
Minor Hockey 2001 and Over: http://www.network54.com/Forum/672359/

I first came across Network54 when I found that all of the parents on a team seemed to know much more than I did about the coaching staff.  I was shocked when I visited the site.  It was amazing to me how many parents posted about each other while clearly socializing and living next door to each other.  Later, I was disappointed to hear that my child was part of a Network54 controversy.

On a positive note, Network54 pointed me to teams that needed players, OMHA movement rules, gave me a heads up about spots being taken during tryouts, and pointed me to some great camps.

Please feel free to post your opinion.  Have you ever found anything useful on Network54?

Interesting Reading

I mentioned Kim McCullogh previously as a female hockey coach who runs Total Female Hockey.  Visit her website even if you have only boys in hockey.  Kim is a prolific writer of inspirational guides to improve you player's hockey game.  She writes about hockey skills, conditioning and college recruitment. If you visit the site you will be prompted to download a free eBook.  In doing so, you will likely be added to her email database.  You will then receive regular emails regarding hockey improvement ideas for you player.  You may not enjoy daily emails, but I have found each and every one informative.  Visit Total Female Hockey at

http://www.besthockeyseasonever.com/

You can also download her Best Hockey Season Ever program - if you like!

The Hockey Goalie's Complete Guide

As a goalie parent, I love this book.  It helps me understand the drills my goalie goes through at practice.  There are diagrams of drills and exercises for on and off-ice training.  The book is best for the beginner goalie, but it's still a great reminder for goalies that have been around a little too long.  Many coaches are player coaches, and really don't have a clue about goalie development and training, so please read this if you are in this boat(crease)!

"The Hockey Goalie's Complete Guide - An Indispensable Development Plan" by Francois Allaire, Firefly Books Ltd. 2009

The Hockey Play Book

"The Hockey Play Book - Teaching Hockey Systems" by Michael A. Smith, Firefly Books Ltd. 1996 has over 500 diagrams of plays and drills.  This is a great book and  the diagrams are easy to understand.  It has loads of drills and plays in it.  I recommend it for a coach wanting to learn more about hockey this summer.  But hey, we don't need all those drills!  Sometimes you have to go with the skill level and attention span of the kids you are coaching.  So read it, learn, but don't get too excited!

Please Buy This Book

As a new hockey season begins,  it's a definite possibility that your coach doesn't know everything about hockey.  "Coaching Hockey for Dummies".  is a good book that really starts at the beginning and is well researched.  It is suitable for all minor hockey coaches, future coaches and parents.  But you really can't get away with buying it as a Christmas gift for your coach, as they will likely take it the wrong way, and he/she is volunteering and presumably doing the best that he/she can.  So buy it for yourself or a family member and enjoy it.
 This is a good basic book that gives you some new drills that should help you to improve practices.  I know my son's team could also learn another breakout, because after all these years, our team has just one.  So please buy the book:
Coaching Hockey For Dummies byDon McAdam and Gail Reynolds

A Good Read - Book Review

I picked up "Hockey the NHL Way The Basics" (Sean Rossiter and Paul Carson), hoping to help one or more of my hockey kids to improve his game.  The book covers - as the title says "The Basics" of hockey, and while I didn't find anything new to help me - an adult with some experience watching kids at hockey games and practices, I found that my 2 youngest kids are enjoying and may get something from the book.  The book is filled with colour photos of techniques, and includes NHL players comments and photos. 

"Hockey the NHL Way" includes sections for fitness, skating, puck control, passing, goaltending, defensive skills and equipment.  While my kids may have learned everything in hockey camp or practice already, they could definitely use refreshers regarding passing and puck control, and I have spotted them practicing puck control spontaneously in the driveway already.  A good book for a motivated 9 to 12 year old.  Not so much for my teenagers who know everything already....  For the cover price of $12.95, it's a deal.  At Amazon it's currently $10.36.